Orono board hears multi‑year facilities plan: parking-lot reclamation, four new tennis courts and building maintenance targeted for 2026

Orono Public School District — The Orono Public School District Board received a facilities update on Dec. 8 that outlined several planned construction and maintenance projects scheduled primarily for summer 2026.

Nick Tainter, the district’s director of business services, said the work is funded by a mix of abatement bonds issued in June, long-term facility maintenance (LTFM) bonds, operating capital and private dollars. "The project scope is really to reclaim most of those, which means basically digging up a few inches of the ground, reclaiming what we have, and then putting a nice flat spot in there," Tainter said while describing the parking-lot plan. He added that the approach should extend the lots' useful life for about 15 years if properly maintained.

Planned projects and timing:

- Parking-lot reclamation across multiple campus lots, phased over two summers; bids are out now and board approval is planned for the Jan. 12 meeting. - Construction of four new tennis courts south of the middle school in summer 2026, with a board milestone targeted for Feb. 9; the district said the site could later accommodate up to 11–12 courts but will begin with four. - Exterior windows and doors replacement and tuckpointing concentrated at the Discovery Center, bridal school and elementary buildings; those projects are moving through bidding and review with a goal of summer completion.

Tainter said the district expects minimal disruption to programming and will post signage and circulation plans for the public while work occurs. He invited the public to an open house for the college and career center on Dec. 15. The board asked for project documents and timelines; Tainter agreed to distribute them.